view raw text
Fonner Park Reports Big Wagering Increase Handle Up 70 Pet. Over First, Year; Boost Minimum Purses By DEAN WILLIAMS . Staff Correspondent FONNER • PARK, Grand Island, -Nebr., May 2. — The Grand Island five-eighths mile track is enjoying a 70 per cent increase in mutuel handle for the first eight days of the second year of racing. This increase may be the largest mutuel rise of any track in the United States for the 1955 racing season. This percentage could reach even greater heights before racing at the Fonner Park oval draws to a close. The minimum purse for the final 10 days of racing has been increased to 00. The better class races will carry purses of between 00 and ,000, which will be about the same as was given for these races for the first eight days of the meeting. The seventh race, The Hastings Elks Club Purse, will be the top offering of the afternoon and will be contested over the six and one-half furlong distance. The race is for three-year-old homebreds and drew a full field of ten including Banker Bill, War Wind, Ivory Fox, Chance Barker, Lady Mullens, Farm Orphan, Swift Omaha, Yellow Locket, Julia C, and Mickey M. Ivory Fox turned in a good effort his first out at this track and will probably receive the bulk of the public support. Jockey Bill Powell booted home Cider Gal and Song Flag in the first two races on Saturdays program to pay a record Daily Double of ,341.80_„ The former high was registered opening way of 1955, when the Daily Double was 35.
